Re: facial features/psychosis onset

A person once very close to me had two major schizogenic (psychotic) breaks during the six years that I knew her well, both of them in situations of rather extreme external stress (such as you and your wife are experiencing now). The first time she was hospitalized, and the second time she somehow made it through on her own. I know how painful this can be and how helpless you must feel at times to help her. My heart goes out to you -- and to her.

Early onset Parkinsons requires tremendous coping skills, and your medications are definitely *not* just "feel-good" drugs but tools to improve your quality of life. If you don't mind my saying so, I think it is important to consider the possibility of changing how you think about these medications, for her sake as well as yours.

There are amazing new medications available today that have revolutionized the treatment of psychosis, particularly of the type that you describe your wife as having. She really needs your encouragement to work with her doctor (preferably a psychiatrist) to get her OWN medications, rather than "borrowing" from you. Zyprexa, in particular, has had almost miraculous effects on me (for bipolar) and others I know, without the many dangers and side effects of the anti-psychotic medications that were around 25 years ago.

Also, if you view your adjunctive medications as semi-recreational and/or you feel guilty about having and taking them, then the message your wife *might* get from you is that you disapprove of their use. If she senses that it is "wrong" to take these adjunctive medications, then she will continue to "borrow" them rather than asking her doctor for the help she needs. And it sounds like she really needs help right now!

Sadly, self-medication -- while undeniably inappropriate under all but the most extreme circumstances -- is quite common and potentially very dangerous, as you know. If she were taking something prescribed for her that genuinely helped her to feel better, she would have less reason to seek out and misuse your medications.

I admire your courage and strength to endure not only your disability at such a young age but also your wife's periodic psychosis. Please encourage her to see her doctor and to ask for the help she needs. If she resists, then talk openly about her self-medication with YOUR doctor.

I realize you cannot force your wife to do anything. What I am suggesting is that you do what you need to in order to know in your heart that you've done what you can for her, given the limitations you both face at this time.

Three psychotic episodes in six months is quite serious, and you should not be trying to carry this burden of care and support by yourself. Find a way to share it with whatever medical and social service support resources are available to you in your community.